Klis J F, Prijs V F, Latour J B, Smoorenburg G F
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Hear Res. 1988 Nov;36(2-3):163-73. doi: 10.1016/0378-5955(88)90058-5.
An intense, low-frequency tone (about 30 Hz) modulates the sensitivity of the inner ear to high-frequency stimulation. This modulation is correlated with the displacement of the basilar membrane. The findings suggest that the modulation may also affect cochlear tuning. We have investigated modulation of cochlear tuning by low-frequency sound in the guinea pig. Applying indirect methods of measurement (narrow-band analysis of compound action potentials and compound-action-potential tuning curves), the results suggest a shift of the excitation pattern along the basilar membrane towards higher-frequency areas. The shift occurred for both scala tympani and scala vestibuli displacement of the cochlear partition. Tuning curves, obtained from single units in the cochlear nerve, show sensitivity loss and a tip shift towards lower frequencies. This was also found for both scala tympani displacement and scala vestibuli displacement. The shift of the tip of the tuning curve towards lower frequencies corresponds to the inferred high-frequency shift of the excitation pattern. The relationship of these phenomena with the pathophysiology of Ménière's disease and with possible active mechanisms in cochlear transduction is discussed.
一种强烈的低频音调（约30赫兹）会调节内耳对高频刺激的敏感度。这种调节与基底膜的位移相关。研究结果表明，这种调节可能也会影响耳蜗调谐。我们研究了豚鼠中低频声音对耳蜗调谐的调节作用。应用间接测量方法（复合动作电位的窄带分析和复合动作电位调谐曲线），结果表明兴奋模式沿基底膜向高频区域发生了偏移。耳蜗隔板的鼓阶和前庭阶位移均出现了这种偏移。从耳蜗神经单个单元获得的调谐曲线显示出敏感度降低以及尖端向低频方向偏移。鼓阶位移和前庭阶位移均出现了这种情况。调谐曲线尖端向低频方向的偏移与兴奋模式推断的高频偏移相对应。讨论了这些现象与梅尼埃病病理生理学以及耳蜗转导中可能的主动机制之间的关系。
